Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SPECIAL EVENTS
The 17-day
Bury St. Edmunds Festival
(
&
01284/
758000;
www.buryfestival.co.uk) is held every May and includes everything from
classical to contemporary music, exhibitions, talks, walks, films, plays, and a fire-
works display.
Exploring the Area
Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds
ABBEY The abbey was among the largest
Norman buildings in Europe and there are still signs of its greatness, particularly the
lofty
Abbey Gate
on Crown Street. The abbey fell into disrepair after Henry VIII's
Dissolution of the monasteries, but the stone gate tower survived and is now the
entrance to the formal garden set in the old abbey grounds. Just along the street is
St. Mary's Church
(
&
01284/754680;
www.stmarystpeter.net), part of the origi-
nal complex, the third largest parish church in the country, and burial place of Henry
VIII's sister Mary, mother of Lady Jane Grey who briefly succeeded Henry VIII's son
Edward VI. A team of stewards is on hand with information. Next door is the Norman
tower, gateway to the abbey precincts, which houses the bells of the adjoining cathe-
dral.
St. Edmundsbury Cathedral
was the parish church of St. James when it was
built in the 12th century. A 16th-century nave was added, followed by a 19th-century
chancel (by ecclesiastical architect Sir Gilbert Scott, designer of London's Albert
Memorial), and it was declared a cathedral in 1914. It remained unfinished until
2005, when a tower was finally built, and 2010 saw the inauguration of a grandiose
new organ and the unveiling of an arched, painted wooden ceiling in the tower. In the
Cathedral Centre is a good Refectory, which serves lunch and snacks from Monday
to Saturday, and a shop selling souvenirs such as CDs of the choir. You can still see a
few abbey ruins, including Samson Tower, in the abbey grounds, now the
Abbey
Gardens.
This was laid out as a botanic garden in 1831. It is now a public park, with
colorful summer bedding displays, the Sensory Garden, and the Pilgrim's Herb Gar-
den. There's also an aviary, play area, crazy golf, and other sports facilities, plus a cafe.
Angel Hill.
&
01284/748720.
www.stedscathedral.co.uk. Free, but donations welcomed. Daily 8am-
6pm. St. Mary's
&
01284/754680.
www.stmarystpeter.net. Donations welcomed. Abbey Gardens and
ruins open year-round Mon-Sat 7:30am to dusk, Sun 9am to dusk.
Greene King Brewery Visitor Centre
BREWERY Real ale fans will enjoy a
pilgrimage to the home of Abbot Ale and Old Speckled Hen. The visitor center
museum tells the story of how the Greene and King families founded the present
company in 1887, and there are tours through the historic brewery with tastings at
the Brewery Tap.
Westgate Street.
&
01284/714297.
www.greeneking.co.uk. Tours £8, children 11 and under not admit-
ted. Tours daily; contact center for times and advance booking.
Ickworth House
HISTORIC SITE The extraordinary home of the eccentric Her-
vey family is a central rotunda with two wings running east and west, set in formal
gardens within a superb country estate. It's a fabulous place for walking, cycling, or
just exploring. The house was built for the 4th Earl of Bristol, and the central rotunda
contains many of the family's personal possessions, including an impressive collection
of silver. One wing is now a lovely cafe and restaurant while the other is an extremely
comfortable hotel, with a fine restaurant open to non-guests.
The Rotunda, Horringer.
&
01284/735270.
www.nationaltrust.org. Admission to house, park, and
gardens £8.30 adults, £3.65 children 5-15, £22 family ticket; park and gardens only £4.20 adults, £1
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